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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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5 results for: Seattle Municipal Street Railway

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Image of Track System of Seattle Municipal Street Railway map, January 1920
Cartographic material

Track System of Seattle Municipal Street Railway map, January 1920

Seattle's first street railway line was built in 1888 and over the next three decades at least six different cable car companies operated throughout the city. In 1919 the City of Seattle took over all of the city's transit lines and formed the Seattle Municipal Street Railway (today's METRO). Because of its steep hills, Seattle kept its cable car lines…
ID Number:1977.6521.4
Date:1920
Image of City street car barn, circa 1915
Photograph

City street car barn, circa 1915

Seattle's electric streetcar system had a number of buildings where the cars could be housed or serviced. These were called streetcar barns. This photo, taken around 1915, shows the Seattle Municipal Railway car barn at Third Avenue North, just south of the the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Webster & Stevens number: 38553
ID Number:1983.10.9804
Date:Circa 1915
Image of Municipal streetcar, Seattle, circa 1915
Photograph

Municipal streetcar, Seattle, circa 1915

Seattle's streetcars were originally pulled along tracks by horses. The first electrically-powered streetcars and cablecars began service in 1889. Most of the early lines were independent and privately-owned. Later, most of the lines became part of the city's street railway system.This photo, taken around 1915, shows Seattle Municipal Railway Car #100 headed to Columbia. Like today's electric city buses, the…
ID Number:1983.10.9805
Date:Circa 1915
Image of The New Loop Plan, issued by The City of Seattle, 1934
Ephemera

The New Loop Plan, issued by The City of Seattle, 1934

In 1919 the City of Seattle took over all of the city's street car lines and formed the Seattle Municipal Street Railway (today's METRO). Because of its steep hills, Seattle kept its cable car lines longer than any other American city except San Francisco, not replacing them until 1940 when buses that could handle the grades became available. Beginning on…
ID Number:1984.12.2
Date:1934
Image of Invitation to opening of Cable Railroad, September 29, 1888
Ephemera

Invitation to opening of Cable Railroad, September 29, 1888

In September 1888, Seattle's second street railway line was built by Pacific Cable Construction Company as a single-track cable car line, running in a loop from Pioneer Square to Leschi Park. This line, the Yesler Way line, effectively linked the steamers docking at Elliott Bay with the ferries crossing Lake Washington. When the line was built the residential and recreational…
ID Number:2018.3.3.75
Date:1888

Land Acknowledgement

MOHAI stands on the historic and contemporary lands and shores of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Muckleshoot, and other Coast Salish Nations. We acknowledge the forced displacement of Native Communities from this land while honoring the endurance of the Duwamish people who still live here.
Address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle WA, 98109
Phone: 206 324 1126
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